Method for Transferring a Shipping Container in a Rail Yard

摘要

A method for preparing an inbound container for transfer from an inbound train to a final destination is disclosed. The method involves providing a crane operator in a railroad terminal with a pre-assigned buffer amongst a plurality of buffers along side a train track in which to place the inbound container; recording the time the crane operator places the inbound container in the pre-assigned buffer where the pre-assigned buffer is comprised of a plurality of vertical supports, independent of an overhead lifting device and defining a containment cavity; sensing that the inbound container has been placed in its pre-assigned buffer; securing the inbound container in a containment cavity of the pre-assigned buffer; confirming with a customer service information management system that the inbound container is delivered to its pre-assigned buffer; and transmitting via the customer service information management system, a message that the inbound container is available for further transfer.